Origin
This book started out as a story about a leprechaun who steals the wrong treasure. But the minute I wrote the word treasure, pirates arrived on the scene and kidnapped my story.
“Write about us!” They ordered. So I did.
Fun Facts
Pirate Pearl’s castle is really Casa Loma in Toronto.
The only portraits in this book are of myself and my husband, Brian. Yup! He’s in here too.
Pirate Pearl’s dog belongs to my daughter, Melissa. Her dog’s name is Dakota. She likes being a famous pirate dog.
Pearl’s diapers are the pirates’ bandannas.
Hide and Seek
The Gypsy Princess dancing with Babalatzzi
Oliver, the parrot from Grandma & the Pirates
A bit of the Something From Nothing blanket
The golden apple
The King from The Balloon Tree
Little Blue Ben
One of Jillian’s pigs
Jillian Jiggs
Grandma from Grandma and the Pirates
Chickens!
Activities
Activity #1: Draw treasure maps and organize scavenger hunts using them. Instructions involve math. Take three steps forward, ten to the right, etc. etc.
Activity #2: Make a treasure chest and fill it with gold chocolate coins of varying sizes, or colored beads of varying shapes, colours and sizes or painted macaroni coins and jewels, noodle necklaces and bracelets. This can be used for all kinds of math exercises: counting, adding, subtracting, estimating, sorting, sharing, etc.